Upper State Finals Preview – Greenville,SC
The Upper State Finals will be played in Greenville, SC this weekend at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Here is a look at matchups.
Friday February 23
5:30 P.M. – Ridge Spring -Monetta vs Lewisville
The Trojans (20-5) last won a Class C State Championship back in 1955. The Trojans currently have 9 games in a row and were #2 in Region 3-A. Tyson Bettis (2018), Melvin Alewine (2018) and Jerry Tyler (2019) both scored 21 points in the quarterfinals win vs High Point Academy 68-64.
Lewisville is back where it was last season. The Lions (17-8) lost in the State Championship Game last season to Hemingway. Mikial Fourney (Mars Hall Football signee), Demetric Hardin, Devon Busby (2018) and Jadakiss Talford (2019) provide leadership for the Lions.
8:30 P.M. – South Aiken vs Ridge View
The T-Breds (16-6) got hot down the stretch to make the trip up north. The T-Bred won a 4-A State Championship in 1997-1998 season. Melvin McKie (2018) Joshua Drayton (2018) and Cincere Scott (2020)
Ridge View went on the road and defeated a very good Aiken squad 77-61. The Blazers (19-8) will rely on strong group of juniors in Crosby Harris-James, Malcolm Wilson, Wayln Napper and JaVon Anderson
Saturday February 24
12:30 P.M. Keenan vs Gray Collegiate
ARCHRIVALS here – Keenan defeated Gray Collegiate in this same game last season. The War Eagles have won 5 of the last 6 games with Keenan.
Keenan (22-5) and Head Coach Zach Norris in his 19th year will rely on a very balanced team. Latrell Taylor 11 ppg, Dillon Jones (2020) 10.2 ppg and Raekwon Horton (2020) 10.2 ppg.
Gray Collegiate (23-4) defeated Keenan twice during the regular season. Tommy Bruner and Juwan Gary both recently went over 1,000 career points as juniors. Gary is averaging 21.2 ppg and 8.4 rebounds. Dion Bethea is in his 4th season at the helm and has a 130-21 record.
3:30 P.M. – Walhalla vs Greenville Southside
The Southside Tigers will to repeat as State Champions again this season. The Tigers have a solid leader in point guard Tuzion Brock (2018) Brock in the last round scored 19 points and took 3 charges in a lopsided win over Camden. Jamal Burke (2018) 6’10 post player added 15 points in the victory. R.J. Campbell (2019) is a load in the paint for the Tigers.
The Razorbacks come to town with a (19-7) record. Andrew Cox (2018) and John Thorsland (2018) will look to lead the way for the small town school in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Oconee County.
6:30 P.M. – Dorman vs Wade Hampton (Greenville)
The Cavaliers will look to get back down to Columbia but will have to get through a very good Generals squad. Myles Tate, Gabe Bryant and P.J. Hall will look to lead the Cavaliers. The two squads split during the season.
The Generals (24-2) will look for senior leadership from All-State selection Will Edwards. The Generals defeated Nation Ford 61-59 on a put-back by Edwards with 2.2 seconds left to advance. Ethan Girardeau, Caleb Henry and Malcolm Chavous will provide help for the Generals.